A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the police once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
